Sofa and bed combined



(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. PLOHR. SOFA AND BBD COMBINED.

Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

H. PLGHR.

SOFA AND BBD COMBINED.

Patented Oct. 28, 1890.

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(Nd Model.) I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

H. PLOHR. SOFA AND BBDooMB-mm N0. 439,184. Patented Oct. .28, 1890.

(No Model.) Y l 4 Sheets-Sheet-4.

H. PLOHR.

SOFA AND BED COMBINED.

No. 439,184. Patented oct. 28, 1890.

UNITED kSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY PLOHR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SOFA AND BED COMBINED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,184, dated October 28, 1890.

Application iled May 19, 1890. Serial No. 352,299. (No model.)

To @ZZ rch/m it may concern:

' Be it known that I, HENRY PLoHR, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Sofa and Bed Combined, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This my invention has for its object to provide a sofa that can be readily converted into a comfortable bed; and with that object in view my invention consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents an end elevation of the sofa; Fig. 2, a transverse vertical section of the same, with the back and foot end partly extended inthe manner of an easy-chair; Fig. 3, an end elevation of the sofa as fully extended to be used as a bed; Fig. 4, a longitudinal vertical section through the seat portion of the sofa, and Fig. 5 a plan of the sofa as converted into a bed. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the sofa extended of a modified construction, and Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the back portion of the same.

Corresponding referential characters designate like parts in all the figures.

The seat-frame of the sofa-principally consists of the end boards 1, that at the same time form the feet 2, and are connected by a series of longitudinal slats 3, that carry the upholstering-springs 4, and of longitudinal slats 5, connecting the feet 2 of the opposing end boards 1. The frame for the back of the sofa consists of two end strips 6, connected on top by a strip 7 and covered in front by a board or boards 8, which board 8, aswell as the strip 7, has cushions 9. Two bars are pivoted with their ends to the rear upper edges of end boards 1 of the seat, and the opposite ends of these bars are connected by a longitudinal bar 11. These thus connected ends of bars 10 are' pivotally fixed against the inward faces of the upper ends of end strips 6 of the back frame in a manner that the bars 10 will fold inside of such back frame of the sofa behind the boards 8 thereof, but that with first swinging the back down to a horizontal line and then raising its forward edge said back will be vertically upside down, bringing its cushioned side 9 toward the rear, it being sustained on this vertical position by two angular guy-chains 12. For thus supporting the bars 10 in their extended position with the back sustained on the rear ends thereof auxiliary feet are provided by two bars 13, pivotally secured with their upper ends to bars 10 and connected with their lower ends to the feet 2 of the seat-frame by bars 14, pivotally secured with their ends to the feet 2 and bars 13, respectively, whereby the said bars 13 are held in a nearly vertical 65 position,wl1ile the back is folded or extended.

To suitable eyes 15 at the front upper edges of end boards 1 of the seat-frame are. pivotally secured the upper ends of two bars 16, connected at their bottom ends by a longitudinal bar 17, to which by suitable hinges are secured bars 18, that have a fixed longitudinal board 19, which may thus be folded between bars 16, or when swung out te be on an obtuse angular position it will be sustainedby two guy-chains 20. To the outer edge of board 19 is secured a cord 21 for taking hold to swing such board, and to the rear of each end of bar 17 is coupled by a staple 22 a bar 23, which when the bars 16 are on their down position will rest upon the slats 5 of the frame. These bars 23 have each a series of notches 24, either one to engage a latch 25, which latches 25 are pivoted to the edge of the forward slat 5, and are coupled to a cord 26, passing over pulleys 27, secured upon one of the slats 3, and thence these cords 26 jointly extend through a hole in one of the end boards 1 of the seat-frame, where they are secured to a ring 28 by which to pull the cords, and thereby simultaneously lift both latches 25 to clear the notches 24 for lifting bars 16, whereby the bars 23 will assume an inclined position for sustaining bars 16, being locked on such position by releasing the latches 25 to drop and engage the proper notches 24.

For simultaneous movement of both the bars 10 and 16 for converting the sofa into a bed, or vice versa, bars 29 are pivotally secured with their centers against the inward faces of the end boards 1 of the seat-frame, the lower ends of which bars 29 are pivotally IOO coupled by link-bars 30 with about the middle of bars 16, while the upper ends of bars 29 are pivotally coupled with near the upper ends of bars 14 by link-bars 31. It will thus be readily seen the swinging of the back to a horizontal position will simultaneously lift the front or foot end, and both will counterbalance each other.

A woven-wire sheet 32 is secured with one end to longitudinal bar 11, while its opposite end has coupled a series of chains 33, that with their other ends are coupled to longitudinal bar 17. This sheet 32 rests upon springs 4 and jointly with chains 33. This sheet provides the support for the mattress 34, extending over the seat and into the back, or when t-he sofa is extended for forming a bed this mattress will cover the space on sheet 32 between bars 10 and between the seat and the back. This mattress 34 has a folding extension 35, connected with the front edge of the mattress, that after the sofa has been extended to provide a bed will be swung out to be supported by chains 33, so as to form a restingplace for the lower limbs, and another folding section 36 is connected with the head end of the mattress, that after extending the sofa will be opened out into the reversed back frame against board 6 thereof to provide the headrest; but as long as this piece of furniture is used as a sofa both sections 35 and 36 are folded upon the mattress 34 toward each other, and are held in position by straps 37, secured with one end to bar 11, thence passed over section 36 of the mattress with their eyed ends engaging hooks 3S of section 35, whereby these two sections or extensions are securely held in position. To the front end of mattress 34 is also connected an apron 4l, that will cover the chains 33.

The cylindrical arm-rests 39 of the sofa are connected by dowels 40, fixed to the arm-rests and entering sockets in the upper ends of end boards 1 of the seat-frame, so they can be detached, if desirable.

This sofa thus constructed can also be converted to assume the shape of an easy-chair, with the board 19 forming the foot-rest and with more or less inclination of the back and foot-rest, as the occupant may desire, by engaging the latches 25 with either one of the notches 24 of bars 23.

In the modified form, Figs. 6 and 7, the construction of the back portion of the sofa remains the same as heretofore described, while to the bars 16, also connected by a longitudinal bar 17 for coupling the chains 33, are rigidly ixed feet 23, that when these bars 16 are folded upon the seat-frame will have the appearance of ornamental brackets adjoining the back. The arm-rests 39 in this construction may be rigid with bars 16.

Vhat I claim is- 1. In a combined sofa and bed, the combination, with the central seat portion and back portion, of the extension-bars 10, pivoted to said seat and back portions, as set forth, supports 13, hinged to the bars 10, links 14, connecting supports 13 and legs of the seat portion, pivoted front extension 16, lever 29, centrally pivoted to seat portion, links 30 and 31, connecting its opposite ends to the front extension and links 14, respectively, bar 23, hinged to front extension and having notches in its upper edges, and a latch 25 for engaging any one of the notches in said bar, as set forth.

2. In a combined sofa and bed, the combination, with the central seat portion having the end boards 1 1, a back portion having the end strips 6 6 and the extension-bars 10 10, pivotally connected at opposite ends to the parts 1 1 and 6 6, respectively, and a front portion having bars 16 16, pivoted to parts 1 1 at the top, of the supporting-bars 13 13, pivoted to bars 10 lO, the links 14 14, pivotally connecting bars 13 and feet 2, and the lever 29, centrally pivoted to board 1 and links 30 and 31, pivotally connecting the opposite ends of the lever 29 to the link 14 and strip 16, respectively, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY PLOHR. Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. LoTz, OTTO LUEBKERT. 

